Session 3: Night practice, Peugeot takes control

 

 

At Sebring, the night test session began in the light. Following the transition to summer time last weekend in the USA and the sun was not quite set when the third session of Thursday, March 17 began at 19h50 (23h50 UK time). The sunset gave a great show, the sky changing from orange to purple before darkness enveloped the track.

The first red flag was quick to appear after the loss of a wheel by the Lamborghini Gallardo #008 in Turn 17. A few minutes after the restart the #57 Ferrari of Krohn Racing made an excursion off the track, causing a second break, fortunately short-lived. The third and final interruption was caused by the exit from the track of the Jaguar #098. More bad news for the British manufacturer: it must make an engine change in the two cars.

Alexander Wurz was the first to go under the 1'50 mark since the start of official practice, with the Peugeot #7. But honour of the best time finally came back to Anthony Davidson 1'48''901. In the final minutes Tom Kristensen interposed himself between the two Peugeots, also posting a time below 1'50.

The LMP2 class was dominated by Ryan Hunter-Reay and Lola-Honda Level 5 Motorsports with a best time of 1'56''276, approximately five tenths better than the Nissan of Soheil Ayari-Oreca.

In LM GTE, Ferrari dominated the top spots, whether in class Pro or Am. In GTE, times have steadily improved late in the session, the fastest time changing hands at almost every lap. The Ferrari F458 Italia seems decidedly quick since Scott Sharp had the fastest time in 2'02''380 with Extreme Speed ​​Motorsports #001, just ahead of Toni Vilander and #062 of Risi Competizione. The #04 Corvette of Jan Magnussen has been progressing in the rankings with last-minute attempts Danish driver.

Finally, in LM GTE Am, despite the track exit at the beginning of the session, the #57 Krohn Racing was placed on top thanks to Niclas Jonsson and a time of 2'05''448, ahead of Ferrari  #62 of Pierre Ehret and of the Aston Martin Vantage #60.

The final free practice session will start tomorrow morning, Friday, at 10h40 local time, 14h40 UK time, before  the four qualifying sessions in the afternoon to from 15h00 (19h UK ). Thus, LM GTE will be the first on the track before giving way to the GTC, then the LM P1 and LM P2 before finishing by LM PC.

Cecile Bonardel

Photo: Sebring (Florida, USA), 12 HOURS OF SEBRING, FREE PRACTICE, March 17, 2011. It is at the 908 #7 Anthony Davidson set the fastest time of the third free practice session on Thursday night.